Local law enforcement launched dual investigations early Friday morning into the burglaries of Holy Smoke Texas Barbecue on Main Street in Bishop and the Chevron Station in Big Pine.
As of press time yesterday, it was unclear if the two incidents were related, but Bishop Police officials say they have promising information in regards to the Holy Smoke break-in. The Big Pine Chevron burglary is being investigated by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department.

Local law enforcement launched dual investigations early Friday morning into the burglaries of Holy Smoke Texas Barbecue on Main Street in Bishop and the Chevron Station in Big Pine.
As of press time yesterday, it was unclear if the two incidents were related, but Bishop Police officials say they have promising information in regards to the Holy Smoke break-in. The Big Pine Chevron burglary is being investigated by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Bishop Police Department Public Information Officer Katie Coffman, an employee arrived at Holy Smoke, 722 N. Main St., just before 6 a.m. Friday morning to find the back door of the business pried open and the door to the office kicked in.
That employee notified the owner, who called the police.
Security cameras in the building were able to capture images of two African American or Hispanic male subjects wearing dark, baggy clothes. Coffman said the PD is currently processing those images and hopes to release photos of the suspects next week.
Thanks to the security footage, Coffman said investigators know that the break-in took place at 2:24 a.m.
Coffman said officers arrived at the scene shortly before 6 a.m. and found the office of the restaurant had been ransacked, but it was unclear as of press time what, if anything was stolen.
“There was quite a bit of damage inside, and the owner is going through right now to see if anything was stolen,” Coffman said Friday morning.
Coffman also said that investigators had not yet made a cost estimate on damages.
Inyo County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Carma Roper said details on the Chevron break-in were scarce as of press time Friday and it is unclear if the two burglaries are related.
She did say that the burglary took place either Thursday night or Friday morning. The business owner notified authorities of the break-in at about 7 a.m. Friday when employees arrived for work.
Anyone with information regarding the burglary at Holy Smoke is encouraged to call the Bishop Police Department at (760) 873-5866. Anyone with information regarding the burglary at the Big Pine Chevron is encouraged to call the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 878-0383.